In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful
21 Shawwal 1447 (10 April 2026)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 129
The powerful passage from Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 87, which I had quoted last week, was delivered when people were being deceived by worldly powers who were deceitful. In the sermon, the Imam highlights the following core theological concepts:
- Amidst competing claims to leadership, the Imam re-asserted the unique status of the Ahlul Bait, who was the reins of right, ensigns of faith and tongues of truth and the only authentic source of Quranic interpretation. They should be honored in the same manner as one honors the Holy Quran, and to approach them for guidance.
- The Imam invokes the Holy Prophet (s.a)’s tradition by explicitly referring to the two Weighty Things (Thaqalayn) and identifying the Holy Quran as the Greater Weight“ and the Ahlul Bait as the “Smaller Weight”.
- He clarifies that the Ahlul Bait do not truly die or decay in the spiritual sense.
- He also warns against unfaithful scholars who misrepresent the Holy Quran for personal or political gain.
Perhaps it will not be out of place to refer to an event at Ghadir Khum as reported by Zurara, a student and a great companion of Imam Sadeq (a.s), who had heard it from the Imam himself, which is unanimously acknowledged to be reliable. According to the narration, when the Holy Prophet (s.a) was returning to Medina from Mecca after performing his farewell pilgrimage, Gabriel revealed to him the following message from Allah (s.w.t):
“O Apostle! Deliver what has been revealed to you from your Lord” (First part of Ayah 67, Surah Ma’idah) The Holy Prophet (s.a) replied to Gabriel that he was apprehensive about carrying out this task as people were new to Islam. On the second day, Gabriel descended again with the second part of Ayah 67 of Surah Ma’idah:
“and if you do not, then (it will be as though) you have not delivered His message at all.” The Holy Prophet (s.a) replied that he was fearful that the people would not listen to him. On the third day, when the Holy Prophet (s.a) arrived at Ghadir Khum, Gabriel appeared finally with the concluding words of Ayah 67 of the said Surah:
“and God will protect you from the (mischievous) people; verily God does not guide the infidels.”
The Holy Prophet (s.a) immediately halted the caravan and his entire entourage and did not proceed until he had made his all-significant announcement. To be continued
Second sermon
The martyrdom of Imam Sadeq (a.s)
We are approaching the anniversary of the martyrdom of our sixth Imam, Jafar ibne Mohammad Al-Sadeq (a.s) and on this sad occasion I would like to offer my condolences to his holy son, Hazrat Hujjat ibne Al-Hassan, the promised Mahdi (a.j.f) and to all Muslims particularly to his followers.
Imam Jafar Sadeq (a.s) was born on the 17th of Rabiul Awwal, 83 Hiji, in the city of Medina. His father was Mohammad Baqer (a.s) our fifth Imam, and his mother Fatima, known as Umme Farwah, was the daughter of Kasim who was the son of Mohammad Ibne Abi Bakr. She was decorated with ornaments of piety and was indeed one of the most religious and virtuous women of her time.
Imam Sadeq (a.s) was brought up under the guidance of his grandfather, Imam Zainul Abedin, for 12 years, whose purpose in life was to worship his Creator and to reflect on the tragic events of Karbala. After the demise of his grandfather, he was under the direct supervision of his father, Imam Baqer (a.s), for 19 years, until the age 31, when his father was martyred. He was chosen by God as the sixth successor of the Holy Prophet (s.a) and was accordingly introduced by his father to his companions. Thus his Imamate was relayed down from the Holy Prophet (s.a) through the succession of the preceding Imams. The services he rendered to the Muslims and the knowledge he imparted were handed down from the Holy Prophet (s.a) and his life was framed with the same deep faith and morals. Due to political and social circumstances both Imam Baqer and Imam Sadeq (a.s) were able to impart divine knowledge to the Muslims and they were influential teachers and jurists during their era. His Imamate lasted for 34 years. He was martyred in Medina by the oppressive ruler, Mansur Abbassi, on the 25th of Shawwal at the age of 65 and was buried in Baqi cemetery as were his father, his grandfather, Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s) and his great uncle Imam Hasan Mojtaba (a.s).
It has been reported by Abu Basir, one of the great companions of the Imam, that after the martyrdom of the Imam he visited his house to pay condolences to his wife, Ummu Hamidah. Upon seeing him, she wept and he could also not hold back his tears. She then advised Abu Basir that if he was here during the final moments of the Imam’s life, he would have witnessed something extraordinary. She then narrated:
“Just before his death the Imam opened his blessed eyes and asked for members of his family and relatives to assemble before him. After they had all gathered he said: “We, the Ahlul Bait, will not intercede on the Day of Judgement for those who do not give due importance to salat (prayers.)”
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